Wide field of view multi-telescope optical multiplexed sensor

Abstract

The optical sensor (10) has a multiple telescope assembly (12), a rotating periscope assembly (14), an imager optical system (16) and a detector (18). The sensor (10) may be utilized with visible, ultraviolet or infrared wavelength radiation. Each telescope (12) views a particular sector of a scene. The rotating periscope (14) multiplexes the output of each telescope (12) to provide a combined wide field of view of each of the sectors. The system may be used in various types of navigation, pilotage, and monitoring systems.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An optical sensor comprising: a plurality of optical means for providing a corresponding plurality of sector outputs from a field of view;   a rotatable periscope assembly for receiving said sector outputs from said plurality of optical means and for providing selected sector outputs; and   sensing means for receiving said selected sector outputs from said rotatable periscope assembly, said sensing means interpreting said selected sector outputs and combining said selected sensor outputs to provide an interpretation of the viewed field of view.   
     
     
       2. The sensor according to claim 1 wherein each said optical means includes a telescope. 
     
     
       3. The sensor according to claim 2 wherein said telescopes are in a common housing. 
     
     
       4. The sensor according to claim 1 wherein said sensing means includes an imager optical system and a detector. 
     
     
       5. An optical sensor comprising: a plurality of telescopes, each positioned to view a sector of a field of view, each said telescope generating an output corresponding to its sector being viewed;   a common multiplexing means for selecting the outputs from said telescopes;   imaging optics for receiving the outputs selected by said multiplexing means, said imaging optics providing an optical imagery of the viewed sectors; and   a detector for receiving said optical imagery from said imaging optics, said detector providing an interpretation of said optical imagery.   
     
     
       6. The sensor according to claim 5 wherein said multiplexing means is a rotatable periscope. 
     
     
       7. The sensor according to claim 5 wherein said plurality of telescopes are mounted in a common housing. 
     
     
       8. The sensor according to claim 5 wherein said multiplexing means, imaging optics and detector are positioned within a common housing. 
     
     
       9. The sensor according to claim 5 wherein said plurality of telescopes are different from one another. 
     
     
       10. The sensor according to claim 5 wherein said imaging optics are common to all of said telescopes. 
     
     
       11. The sensor according to claim 5 wherein a plurality of small windows are positioned before said plurality of telescopes for enabling energy to pass into said telescopes. 
     
     
       12. The sensor according to claim 5 wherein a plurality of delta prisms are positioned before said telescopes for transmitting energy to said telescopes. 
     
     
       13. The sensor according to claim 5 wherein each telescope includes a pointing wedge. 
     
     
       14. An optical sensor comprising: a multiple telescope assembly including a plurality of telescopes mounted in a common housing, each of said telescopes viewing a sector of an object to be viewed to generate a sector output, said sector outputs combining together to form a system field of view;   a rotating periscope assembly for receiving said sector outputs from said multiple telescopes, said periscope assembly optically multiplexing said sector outputs from said telescopes;   an imager optical system for receiving the multiplexed sector outputs from said periscope assembly, said imager optical system imaging said multiplexed sector outputs to provide output energy; and   a detector for receiving said output energy from said imager optical system, said detector providing information on said viewed object.   
     
     
       15. The sensor according to claim 14 wherein said periscope assembly, imager optical system and detector are mounted in a common housing. 
     
     
       16. The sensor according to claim 14 wherein said telescope assembly includes twelve telescopes.